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Topic: Vintage Tug Questions (Read 1790 times)

I have a couple of questions regarding tugs from the late 1870 to early 1880 era:When where port & starboard lights first used?When did towing hooks first appear?and around when did wheelhouses move forward of the funnel?Photos of the world's oldest tug – the Mayflower, are all from after a refit at the turn of the century, so no help there. Any info would be appreciated.ThanksSteve

I thought the Charlotte Dundas was the original tug/towing boat? Don't want to be picky there though.

CHARLOTTE DUNDASIn 1800 Thomas, Lord Dundas, Governor of the Forth and Clyde Canal Company, asked William Symington if he could build a steamboat for use on the canal. In 1802 a fine steam-powered tugboat, with a slider-crank drive system, was completed. Symington named her Charlotte Dundas. She proved herself in a test on 28 March 1803 by pulling two 70-ton barges 18½ miles in 9¼ hours, from Lock 20 on the canal to Port Dundas, against a head wind. On board were Symington, Alexander Hart, John Allan, and various dignitaries. The tug, 56 feet long by 18 feet wide was powered by a 10-horsepower engine linked to a paddle wheel in a stern well.